“Watched an altercation between a nesting Grey-headed Fish-eagle (Icthyophaga ichthyaetus) and a ‘trespassing’ White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).
“The conflict lasted 8 minutes with both birds ‘dive booming’ each other (predominantly the Grey-headed Fish-eagle) and mid-air physical interactions. The series of images attempt to show the ‘action’ with a composite below.
“The Grey-headed Fish-eagle would stretch out the feet/claws to impact the body of the White-bellied Sea-eagle. Much of the time it was fast chases alongside the limestone hills.
“On three occasions when the Grey-headed Fish-eagle stopped at a perch, the White-bellied Sea-eagle intentionally swooped down to interact with it.
“As I mentioned, this male Grey-headed Fish-eagle was nesting; the partner did not call out or come to assist. Possibly staying at the nest to protect the young. The White-bellied Sea-eagle appears to be a 3rd year bird (see Ferguson-Lees & Christie. Raptors of the World, 2001).
“The above image shows an adult Grey-headed Fish-eagle with fish prey for the young.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
21st March 2015
Location: Tambun Interior, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth near limestone hills and ex-mining pools
One Response
Fantastic footages. Able to easily compare physical differences of both eagles from footages. Great stuff Dr Amar.